Annual Women And Careers Conference Set For March 15

The 15th Annual Women and Careers Conference returns to CSULB on Friday, March 15, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the University Student Union Ballroom with the theme “Dream It, Create It.”

The keynote address will be delivered at 9:20 a.m. by U.S. Navy Commodore Shoshana Chatfield, a member of the US Pacific Fleet’s Helicopter Sea Combat Wing. In addition, six successful professional women from a variety of fields will participate in a moderated panel presentation at 9:50 a.m. where they will share their stories of successes and challenges. These speakers will include the LAPD’s Lt. Nicole Alberca, Quest Diagnostics’ Dr. Amber Donahue, childcare facility entrepreneur and author Sicola Elliott, Toyota Auto Body engineer Raquel Sanchez, LA’s Prom Closet founder Natalie Torres and Shelly York, vice president and district manager of Kohl’s.

“Each of the women has actively pursued a passion creating their destinies,” explained Jeane Caveness, assistant dean of students and coordinator of the Women and Careers Conference. “They have done so with a standard of excellence that makes them wonderful role models for CSULB students.”

Panelists will talk about issues such as their personal decision-making process, their challenges and goals, who made a difference in their lives and why, their mentoring experiences and the balance they strike between their personal and professional lives. The conference includes round table discussions and provides practical opportunities for students to network, to discuss new ideas and continue career explorations.

Caveness hopes participating students come away inspired. “I want to reinforce the importance of higher education as a critical element in women’s empowerment,” she said. “Also, I want all students, women and men, to be inspired by the unique stories of each speaker and to be reminded that no matter what students major in at CSULB, they have many career options.”

The day begins with an 8:30 a.m. check-in and a 9 a.m. welcome from Jazmine Contreras, ASI secretary for Women’s Affairs, and Caveness. The panel continues at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a “Financially Savvy” workshop hosted by Torres, scheduled to begin at 11:35 a.m. Closing remarks will be offered at noon.

Caveness encouraged the campus and community to attend. “Why would you not want to invest a Friday morning in your future success? You define your own success,” she said. “Where else in your life after CSULB will you have free access to free programs such as the Women and Careers Conference?”

The event is coordinated by CSULB’s Women’s Resource Center in conjunction with the Career Development Center, the USU Program Council, the Associated Students Inc., ASI Recreation, the President’s Commission on the Status of Women and Educational Career Services.